PINAR DEL RIO - The Technical Department of Investigations (TDI) is holding
two officials of the Housing Directorate of the town of San Juan and Martinez
in connection with what some call an inexplicable case of multiple owners,
among other things.

The two are Raciel Puente Ajete, a manager, and Faustino Chacon, an inspector.
They are being held for questions involving abuse of power, authorizing the
purchase and sale of several lots and other violations that have come to
light.

This kind of case is being reported daily in today's Cuba, where the average
salary doesn't meet basic needs. Some say that public officials and workers
are forced into committing crimes so as to survive, finding prices at farm
stores excessive and the rate of exchange for the Cuban peso versus the US
dollar at 21 to 1.